NORTH Wales Police are set to do a U-turn by returning to a single control-room for the whole area.

The controversial move has been approved by the Police Authority despite objections.

The Daily Post revealed last month senior officers were considering major changes to improve the force's call-handling system.

Staff had been told the three divisional control rooms in Caernarfon, Colwyn Bay and Wrexham faced closure.

At present about 150 people work in the centres, several of them part-time.

Deputy Chief Constable Clive Wolfendale told the authority's performance review committee: "This is not a soft option. It might be an option to stay as we are but I don't think it is the right option."

The implications of changing to a single control were spelled out to members by director of finance Tom O'Donnell, after which it was approved on a majority vote.

Among the opponents was the vice-chairman of the authority, Ynys Mon councillor Eifion Jones, who told the Daily Post yesterday: "It's not long since they did away with a single control room in favour of one in each division.

"The western division control room has always performed well.

"The Caernarfon staff are giving a good service and have a high level of expertise and local knowledge, which could well be lost when the control room closes," he said.

"It is also quite likely that the number of Welsh-speakers will be reduced if the new control room is based somewhere like St Asaph, as the Caernarfon part-time staff are unlikely to want to travel that far to work," he added.

"I support the idea of trying to improve the call-handling system and I hope the changes are successful.

"It will not save money, and there will be initial relocation costs," Coun Jones added.

Another to speak against the plan was Gwynedd councillor Charles Jones.

Though several sites have been considered the favourite is believed to be St Asaph Business Park where the new central division HQ is due to open.